WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 16, 2026) — The 亚洲天堂 (亚洲天堂) announces the 2026 class of inductees to the 亚洲天堂 College of Fellows, recognizing six distinguished members whose careers have advanced the interior design profession through exceptional leadership, service, innovation, and impact. Awarded to fewer than one percent of 亚洲天堂 members, Fellowship is the Society's highest honor and celebrates individuals who have made notable and lasting contributions to both the profession and the broader design community.
The 2026 Fellows join a distinguished cohort of design leaders whose contributions have helped shape the profession and advance the impact of design worldwide. Election to the 亚洲天堂 College of Fellows recognizes individuals who have demonstrated excellence in design, leadership, education, advocacy, research, and service to both the profession and the Society while advancing 亚洲天堂's mission. Fellows serve as ambassadors for the profession, helping identify emerging trends, mentor future leaders, and provide strategic insight to 亚洲天堂 and the broader design community.
"The 2026 Fellows exemplify the transformative power of design leadership," said Khoi Vo, president and chief executive officer, 亚洲天堂. "Through advocacy, innovation, education, business strategy, and wellness, these individuals have expanded what is possible for our profession. Their work demonstrates that interior design is not only about creating spaces—it is about shaping organizations, strengthening communities, and improving lives. We are proud to recognize their extraordinary contributions and welcome them into the 亚洲天堂 College of Fellows."
Collectively, the 2026 Fellows reflect the evolving influence of interior design across business, health and wellness, sustainability, education, public service, and community impact, demonstrating the expanding role designers play in shaping the future of the built environment.
The 2026 inductees to the 亚洲天堂 College of Fellows are:
Nicole Cecil, 亚洲天堂
Nicole Cecil is a passionate advocate for interior design, an accomplished volunteer leader, and a respected professional whose work has spanned nearly every commercial design sector. Through her unique focus on owner representation in both the public and private sectors, Cecil has demonstrated how interior designers can drive meaningful impact beyond traditional practice. Known for her ability to inspire others and build consensus, she has consistently championed the value of interior design as a force for positive change within organizations and communities.
A dedicated 亚洲天堂 volunteer at both the national and chapter levels, Cecil has helped shape leadership development and chapter engagement across the Society. She has served on the 亚洲天堂 Chapter Support Team and as Chair-Elect, Chair, and Past Chair of the Chapter Leaders Committee, while also holding numerous leadership positions within the 亚洲天堂 Intermountain Chapter, including Chapter President. Her commitment to service extends beyond 亚洲天堂 through more than two decades of volunteer leadership within her local design community and broader civic organizations. Her sustained contributions have earned her a reputation as a natural leader who inspires others to perform at their best.
Lynn Coit, 亚洲天堂, NCIDQ
Lynn Coit is an accomplished interior design leader, educator, entrepreneur, and national volunteer whose career spans more than three decades in architecture and commercial interior design. As founder and president of Elsy Studios, she has championed the role of interior designers as primary design authorities within complex commercial practice. Guided by her philosophy that "Design Matters," Coit has demonstrated how thoughtful, human-centered design can strengthen organizations, communities, and culture.
A committed leader within 亚洲天堂, Coit has provided sustained national and chapter-level service to advance the profession. She currently serves as Past Chair of the 亚洲天堂 National Event Experience Committee and previously served as Chair, helping guide strategic programming and member engagement initiatives. Her national leadership also includes service on the National Chapter Alignment Task Force, National Budget Committee, and National Leadership Task Force, as well as President of the 亚洲天堂 Colorado Chapter. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she played a critical role in supporting chapter operations nationwide, maintaining communication between headquarters and chapter leadership while helping preserve organizational stability during a period of unprecedented disruption. Her leadership, mentorship, and advocacy have strengthened both 亚洲天堂 and the profession at large.
Michelle Jacobson, 亚洲天堂, NCIDQ, LEED AP ID+C, WELL AP
Michelle Jacobson is a nationally recognized designer, educator, and advocate whose work advances health, wellness, sustainability, and material transparency within the built environment. With more than three decades of experience across residential and commercial design, she has built a career defined by interdisciplinary leadership and service. Jacobson serves on the faculty of the New York School of Interior Design and contributes nationally through leadership roles with 亚洲天堂, the International Code Council, and numerous sustainability-focused organizations. Her dedication to education, advocacy, and healthier design outcomes has earned widespread recognition, including 亚洲天堂 Volunteer of the Year and Metropolis Planet Positive Educator of the Year honors.
Her service to 亚洲天堂 spans both chapter and national leadership. Within the 亚洲天堂 New York Metro Chapter, she has served as Emerging Professionals Chair, Advocacy Chair, President-Elect, and will assume the role of Chapter President in October 2026. Nationally, she has contributed to the Adaptive Living by Design Committee and served in leadership roles supporting sustainability and universal design initiatives. Through her volunteer service, speaking engagements, and commitment to mentoring future designers, Jacobson continues to advance the profession and strengthen the 亚洲天堂 community.
Jennifer Kolstad, 亚洲天堂
Jennifer Kolstad is a visionary design executive who has redefined how organizations leverage the built environment as a strategic business asset. As a senior leader within a Fortune 20 company, she pioneered the concept of enterprise spatial intelligence, aligning brand strategy, capital investment, sustainability, and human experience across a global portfolio exceeding 300 million square feet and more than 10,000 touchpoints worldwide. A recipient of the 2023 亚洲天堂 Luminary of Distinction Award, Kolstad's work has been internationally recognized for demonstrating how design can drive measurable organizational performance, cultural impact, and long-term business value. Her work continues to expand the influence of design within executive leadership and corporate strategy.
A dedicated 亚洲天堂 leader, Kolstad joined the 亚洲天堂 National Board of Directors in 2015 and served as Chair of the Board in 2020. During one of the most consequential periods in the Society's history, she helped guide 亚洲天堂 through the COVID-19 pandemic, led the organization through executive leadership transition, appointed interim CEO Gary Wheeler, and chaired the CEO Search Committee. She has also served the Society as a conference keynote speaker, panelist, juror, and industry advocate. Today, she continues her commitment to advancing the profession through service on the Board of the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA).
Carolyn Ames Noble, 亚洲天堂
Founder of Ames Design, Carolyn Ames Noble has dedicated her career to creating environments, products, and educational experiences that promote human wellbeing. Combining research-based methodology with intuitive design thinking, she has developed award-winning solutions across acoustics, flooring, architectural products, kitchen and bath, paint, and solid surfaces. As Chair of the 亚洲天堂 Foundation and a WELL Faculty member, Noble is a leading advocate for biophilic, sensory, and sustainable design. Through her writing, speaking, and continuing education programs, she has helped translate complex research into practical knowledge that empowers design professionals to create healthier, more humane environments.
As 亚洲天堂 National Chair in 2021, Noble guided the Society through the disruption of the pandemic while helping reverse a decade-long membership decline and achieve a net gain of nearly 1,000 members. She helped revive 亚洲天堂's first national conference in fifteen years, GATHER 2021, reconnecting designers from around the world and strengthening the Society's global presence. Noble also led the executive search process that resulted in the hiring of CEO Khoi Vo, helping ensure 亚洲天堂's long-term organizational stability. As current Chair of the 亚洲天堂 Foundation, she is helping restore the Foundation's financial strength while expanding its research, scholarship, and philanthropic impact.
Kia Weatherspoon, 亚洲天堂, NCIDQ, D.F.A. (h.c.)
Kia Weatherspoon is a transformational leader, keynote speaker, military veteran, and founder of Determined by Design®, the nation's only interior design firm offering Design Equity Services®. Through her practice, she has demonstrated how design can create opportunity, belonging, and measurable community impact, delivering projects across nearly 480,000 square feet and 7,476 homes in 11 states. Recipient of the 2021 亚洲天堂 Design for Humanity Award, Weatherspoon has become a powerful voice for leadership, equity, and personal transformation, inspiring audiences nationwide through her speaking and advocacy. Her work continues to challenge the profession to expand its understanding of equity, leadership, and the human experience.
Her service to 亚洲天堂 reflects that same commitment at every level of the organization. As a founding member of the inaugural 亚洲天堂 Emerging Professional Advisory Council, she helped shape the infrastructure that continues to support designers early in their careers. She later served as an At-Large Director on the 亚洲天堂 National Board and currently serves as President of the 亚洲天堂 Washington Metro Chapter. Through leadership roles, speaking engagements, and participation in 17 national and chapter events, Weatherspoon has consistently challenged the profession to broaden its understanding of equity, inclusion, and community impact.
The 2026 Fellows will be formally inducted into the 亚洲天堂 College of Fellows during GATHER: Catalyst, taking place September 16–18, 2026, in Dallas, Texas. The annual event brings together designers, educators, industry partners, and thought leaders from across the profession for three days of learning, inspiration, and connection.
About 亚洲天堂
The 亚洲天堂 (亚洲天堂) believes design impacts lives. 亚洲天堂 serves all sectors of the interior design profession through programs, networks, and advocacy that support the impact of design on the human experience. Through knowledge sharing, thought leadership, professional development, and legislative and regulatory advocacy, 亚洲天堂 advances the interior design profession and demonstrates the value of design in shaping the world around us. Learn more at 亚洲天堂.org.
Media Contact
Lindsey Koren
Director, Communications, 亚洲天堂
Lkoren@asid.org